With over 400 Pokemon, Paldea is a massive region to explore. The addition of the on-the-go party system means that players can switch their Pokemon around without having to visit a Pokemon Center, unlike in previous games. This means that fans can switch out their team members to adapt to the situation, ensuring that their parties are varied and boast a good mix of offensive and more defensively-inclined Pokemon.
Pokemon with high Defense are suited to play the role of physical tanks, or bulky Pokemon that can stand and absorb physical damage like a sponge. Having at least one tank on your team means you can always switch a vulnerable Pokemon out of harm's way and replace them with your tank. Not all high-Defense Pokemon has potent offensive stats to strike back with, however.
10 Ting-Lu: Base 125 Defense
One of the Legendaries introduced in Generation 9, Ting-Lu takes up the role of a tank quite nicely. It has an incredible base Defense stat of 125, and its base HP is even more impressive at 155. This makes it one of the bulkiest Pokemon in the game.
Its ability, Vessel of Ruin, makes Ting-Lu even more survivable. It lowers the Special Attack of all Pokemon other than itself. This means an automatic -1 Sp. Atk to all opposing Pokemon on switch-in. Since Special Defense is Ting-Lu's lowest defensive stat, it further boosts its already stellar survivability.
9 Garganacl: Base 130 Defense
Garganacl continues the tradition of Rock-types having high Defense in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. With a base Defense stat of 130, only the heaviest hitters will topple over this rock formation. However, special attackers will have an easier time against this Pokemon, because of its significantly lower Special Defense stat.
Garganacl also learns the exclusive move Salt Cure, which is a unique move that does more damage to Steel- and Water-types. Since Garganacl is weak to attacks from those types, this works out perfectly for it and makes it rather more viable in some cases than other high-Defense Rock-type Pokemon.
8 Great Tusk: Base 131 Defense
The ancient Paradox form of Donphan, Great Tusk, is built to be a tank and a physical sweeper rolled into one. Both its Attack stat and the Defense stat are 131, putting Great Tusk firmly in the highest tier of Pokemon.
Not only does Great Tusk have excellent Defense, but its Speed is also a respectable 87, which makes it much faster than most other Defense-focused Pokemon. With Headlong Rush and Close Combat, Great Tusk naturally learns two incredibly strong STAB moves. It may have competition from other Ground-types in the competitive scene, but it's certainly a force to be reckoned with.
7 Stonjourner: Base 135 Defense
Closely resembling Garganacl, Stonjourner is a much more specialized version of its rocky relative. Its stats are heavily skewed towards making it a physical tank, and a physical tank only. With a base Special Defense stat of 35, it is not going to be able to resist anything from this category at all.
Although Stonjourner has access to some incredible physical attacks like Earthquake and Stone Edge, it will rarely get to use them in the late game. It can be a great Rock Pokemon, but only in specific scenarios. It is rather more unique than some, however, with its Power Spot Ability boosting allied attacks in Doubles matches.
6 Torkoal: Base 140 Defense
Introduced all the way back in Generation 3, Torkoal was tailor-made for the physical tank role. Its incredible Defense allows it to survive physical sweepers like Scizor quite effectively, and its access to Stealth Rock allows it to set up hazards on opposing Pokemon with near impunity.
Tat's even before accounting for Torkoal's ability, Drought, which automatically activates Sunny Day on the field. A staple of sun teams, Torkoal can also deliver devastating damage with its STAB attacks. Its pure Fire typing also means it does not have a 4x weakness that you have to look out for.
5 Forretress: Base 140 Defense
Forretress makes an appearance in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, but it's only present in Casseroya Lake. Defense-wise, Forretress is among the best of the best, but it's the moves this Pokemon has access to that make it valuable. From Toxic Spikes to Stealth Rock, Forretress learns every type of entry hazard there is in the game.
This gives this Pokemon the ability to be slotted into almost any team without much hassle. While it may not appear so on the surface, Forretress opens up a lot of options for a skilled player. Volt Switch enables it to zip out of battle, Counter coupled with the Ability Sturdy punishes Fire-types that want to take advantage of its 4x weakness to fire, and if you're all out of options, Explosion may take down the opponent with you.
4 Orthworm: Base 145 Defense
The Earthworm Pokemon introduced in Scarlet & Violet might not be the strongest Steel-type Pokemon in the game, but if it's Defense you're after, Orthworm is an excellent choice. The steel worm has a base Defense of 145, which is more than enough to tank most threats in the game.
Orthworm also has access to the Ability Earth Eater, which completely negates one of three weaknesses, Ground. With the already defensive Steel-typing, the only weaknesses Orthworm is left with are Fire and Fighting. Although this Pokemon gains access to a few powerful moves like Earthquake and Iron Head, it can't really use them effectively, owing to its abysmal Attack stat.
3 Toxapex: Base 152 Defense
Game Freak is fairly good at keeping the balance in the series. With over 1000 Pokemon to juggle and hundreds of Abilities to balance, though, some exceptions slip through. Toxapex is one of those exceptions. Ever since it was unveiled back in Generation 7, this Water/Poison type has cemented its place as one of the best competitive Pokemon in the entire franchise, firmly placed in the OU (Over-Used) tier.
Toxapex is one of the few Pokemon that is incredibly tanky in both Defense (152) and Special Defense (142). All its other stats are sub-par, but it doesn't need anything else to be incredibly effective. It also has the Regenerator ability, which allows it to recover one third of its maximum HP when switched out. With access to Toxic and Haze, it is also a natural staller. Nothing short of overwhelming damage can put a Toxapex down, and that's difficult because it has the move Recover for reliable healing.
2 Cloyster: Base 180 Defense
One of the original 151 Pokemon, Cloyster still has its place as one of the best physical tanks/sweepers. What makes Cloyster stand out from its peers — other than its incredible Defense — is its ability to bypass Substitute setters with the move Icicle Spear, which hits multiple times.
While many other Pokemon also have access to multi-hit moves, Cloyster's Ability Skill Link ensures that every time it uses such a move, it always hits the opponent a full five times. Cloyster also has Shell Smash, which sacrifices its high defenses somewhat to convert its low offenses into something to be feared. The years have been kind to Cloyster, giving it a range of new tools.
1 Avalugg: Base 184 Defense
One of the best Ice-type Pokemon in all of Paldea, Avalugg can take a (physical) hit and then some. It has a staggeringly high base Defense stat of 184. With access to one of the best healing moves in the game, Recover, Avalugg can prolong the fight almost indefinitely. Unless the opponent has super effective moves to throw at you, your Avalugg will be able to stay on the field as long as you want it to.
On top of that, Avalugg has low Speed, which normally would be a negative, but the move Avalanche flips that concept on its head entirely. Avalanche is an Ice-type move that deals double the damage if the user takes a hit before using it. With a base Attack of 117, it isn't passive and won't be easily set up on like some defensive Pokemon. It can't take a special hit at all, though. It also has a Hisuian form.